Congrats to the 2014 Sporting Clays Winners!
Thank you to all who attended this year's Sporting Clays Tournament in support of the Chamber Foundation. Our participants enjoyed a full day of friendly competition and networking. Special thanks to all of our sponsors including presenting sponsors Gresham, Smith and Partners and EKS Security Services.  Congratulations to this year's winners: 1st place Male: Alex Walter, EWI Construction
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Host a Chamber Networking Event in 2015!
Are you interested in hosting one of the Chamber's recurring networking events in 2015? We have availability to host as early as January! These events are great opportunities to provide exposure to your business, product, service or venue. The following monthly events are available to be hosted by Chamber members of any FIT level:
Business After Hours
Business After Hours is held onsite at a Chamber member's business on the final Thursday of every  month from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Attendance generally ranges from 75 - 100 members. This event allows for networking with your fellow Chamber members in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Hosts are responsible for providing a gathering space for up to 100 attendees, hors d'oeuvres, complimentary parking and one complimentary alcoholic drink per attendee. In return, the host company will receive publicity as the title sponsor of the event on our website, flyer, and eView newsletter, as well as two minutes at the event to speak. The Chamber will manage registration of attendees as well as all communication regarding the event.
Get Connected
Get Connected is our monthly facilitated networking event designed to build relationships with fellow Chamber members and open the door to new business opportunities. This event takes place onsite at a Chamber member's business on the second Tuesday of every month, alternating between 7:30 - 9 a.m. and 4:30 - 6 p.m. This "speed networking" event places participants in small groups where each person has a few minutes to talk about his or her product, service or business. After each participant in the group has had a chance to introduce him or herself, the groups switch up and everyone is paired with a fresh set  of faces.
The host is responsible for providing up to seven tables of seven seats with the ability to accommodate up to 49 people, light hors d'oeuvres / refreshments and beverages, and complimentary parking. In return, the host company will receive publicity as the title sponsor of the event on our website, flyer, and eView newsletter, two minutes to speak at the event, and one representative to participate in the networking activity. The Chamber will manage registration of attendees as well as all communication regarding the event.
To inquire about availability or to get more details about hosting these events, please contact Anne Timmel, Events Manager at atimmel@tampachamber.com.
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Leadership Tampa: Arts and Culture Day
Leadership Tampa Class of 2015 Discovers the HeARTbeat of Tampa 
By: Kerry O'Reilly, Tampa Bay Times
Our minds were awakened by Renoir and Chagall. Our blood got pumping by the drumming rhythms at Stageworks. Our imaginations were aroused by the beautiful, lovingly-designed prints at Graphicstudio. And that was all before lunch.
On November 11, members of the Leadership Tampa 2015 class toured several of Tampa's arts and cultural jewels.
Our thoughts were also expanded by Dominique Labauvie and his rugged steel sculptures, palates pleased by the culinary arts courtesy of Mise en Place and conventions challenged by an activity at the Patel Conservatory. Read more...
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Hillsborough Business Pitch Competition
Compete for Capital to Grow or Start Your Business
The Hillsborough Business Pitch Competition, hosted by New World Angels, provides existing and startup businesses the unique opportunity to win $5,000 while learning valuable insight from successful business owners who have discovered their key to success. Click here for eligibility criteria and details on how to enter. For more information, contact Ken Jones, Hillsborough County Economic Development, at 813-272-1143.
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Member Highlights: December 1 - 5, 2014
Click here to view more details on this week's member highlights including:
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Want to include your organization's news in Member Highlights? Send a brief description of your news or event to news@tampachamber.com. |
Chamber Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Member Marks Milestone with Chamber Ambassadors
Wawa is excited to announce the grand opening of their newest store at 804 E. Bearss Avenue. Festivities included a parade of Wawa history, ribbon cutting ceremony and a hoagie building competition between local fire and police to benefit local charities.
Members wishing to host a ribbon cutting announcing a new opening or expansion of your business should contact Tracy Wilson at 813-276-9464.
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Now Accepting Award Nominations for the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet
The Chamber is now accepting nominations for the awards given at the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet, including  the Bob Cutler Volunteer Award and the Business Partner of the Year Award. To nominate a person or business for one of the following categories, please complete each section of the nomination form. Any endorsements the nominator feels will help the selection committee in its deliberations are welcome. All community activities during 2014 should be mentioned.
Nomination forms must be received no later than 5 p.m. on January 9, 2015. Awards will be presented at the event on February 25. Click here for more information on the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Bright House Networks.
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Save the Date: Cover the Bay - January 28, 2015
2015 Bay Area Mayors Conference
Join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, and A Healthy Florida Works for Cover the Bay on January 28, 2015 at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. The event, co-hosted by The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, will focus on policies related to extending health care coverage in Florida. Jamie Harden of Creative Sign Designs will participate in a panel on the business case for health care expansion.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce supports extending health care coverage to working, uninsured Floridians through the use of available federal funds. Extending health care coverage would stabilize health care costs and help Florida businesses avoid penalties if they are unable to provide health care insurance for their employees. Click here for more information.
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Chamber members must login when registering to take advantage of discounted member pricing for Chamber events.
Forgot your login? Click here to have your credentials sent to you.
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Get Connected
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
New Life Village, 4926 Venice Lake Avenue
Get Connected is a facilitated networking program designed to give members the opportunity to make 25+ new business connections in less than an hour! Think of it as "speed networking." Each person is seated at a table with fellow participants and given two minutes to introduce their product, organization or service to the small group. FREE for FITs One & Two; $15 for all other Chamber members; $30 for non-members. Click here to register. Hosted by New Life Village.
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Return on Relationships
Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St.
During this interactive session featuring Clint Babcock of Sandler Training, you will learn how to get the most out of the networking opportunities at Chamber events, including:
- What to say when asked, "What do you do?"
- How to be comfortable introducing yourself to someone you don't know
- How to build relationships with the Chamber membership
- Goal setting for a Chamber event
- How to professionally end a conversation
- How to transition the conversation to the next step (i.e. a phone call or meeting)
Click here to register! Chamber Members $15, Non-Members $20. FREE for FIT One members.
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BUZZ-ness After Hours 
Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a combined Business After Hours/Emerge's "The Buzz" event hosted by the Tampa Convention Center. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber/Emerge members. FREE for members, $10 for non-members. Click here to register.
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 SOLD OUT! - PROSPERITY! 129th Annual Meeting Thursday, December 18, 2014 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 129th Annual Meeting on December 18 at the Tampa Convention Center to celebrate the Chamber's 2014 achievements. Robin DeLaVergne of Tampa General Hospital and 2014 Chamber Chair will pass the gavel to 2015 Chair Ronald Christaldi of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. The Chamber will also present the 2014 H.L. Culbreath, Jr. Profile in Leadership Award to an individual whose leadership has made a positive impact within the Greater Tampa community. Click here for more information on this year's Annual Meeting. Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.
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